That pretty much describes cruising on a small sailboat. We’ve been cruising in the Bahamas for five weeks now. During that time we’ve enjoyed amazing beaches, snorkeling on life filled coral reefs, met super nice people both ashore and on other cruising boats, hiked, picnicked, fished, and just generally had an amazing time. But we’ve also had some scary bad times like being anchored on a lee shore during a big thunderstorm, getting the headsail wrapped up, pounding our way through the waves on the way out of Morgan’s Bluff, my first overnight sail, and motor sailing overnight on the Banks. In all I guess we’ve only lived through 5 scary, nerve-wracking events in five weeks, so on balance that’s good. Now when you’re actually experiencing the bad stuff you do question your sanity in choosing this lifestyle. Take for example our recent voyage from Andros to the Exumas. The morning forecast called for 15 knot NE winds, picking up a little in the evening and veering more north. It was just the weather we’d been waiting three weeks to get for our 70 mile southeast, east sail to the Exumas. It took about an hour for me to raise the anchors, with the stern anchor causing a bit of grief. Finally by 8 a.m. both anchors were up. I was exhausted, but elated as Coleen piloted the Glass Slipper out of the anchorage as I finished securing things on deck. We soon settled into a nice close reach. Try as we might we just couldn’t point the boat close enough to make our course as the wind was a little too much east. We decided it might take a couple of days of tacking to actually reach the Exumas, but after our third tack, the wind became more favorable and we were able to set the sails for a close reach on our intended course. We sailed for ten hours without touching the sails while the windvane gently steered the boat. We had pleasant 2 foot seas with an occasional 3 footer thrown in just to keep us awake. There is just something magical about a small sailboat making way with a windvane steering. The seas were the most deep, brilliant blue, the sky a clear blue with a few puffy clouds and the temperature around 80 degrees. It was glorious sailing even though we were only making 3.5 knots. The sort of day you dream about. Coleen settled in up on deck next to the mast with a book. I took a break from my own book long enough to bring her a picnic lunch and some sunscreen. There was not much to do other than read, update the logbook every hour and nibble on crackers, very relaxing. We calculated that we’d be out of the Tongue of the Ocean and on the banks by 7 p.m. With a little luck the seas on the banks would be settled enough for anchoring and we’d continue our journey in the morning. We decided to wait and have dinner after we anchored. That was our first mistake. In the early evening hours we began to anxiously watch the chartplotter and depth sounder so we could take note of when we got out of the super deep waters of the Tongue and into the shallow Banks. We were ready to drop the hook, have dinner, watch a movie and get some sleep. Sure enough right around 7 p.m. we saw the depth sounder engage then rapidly countdown until we were in 20 feet of water. Yeah, we’d crossed the Tongue of the Ocean! Sadly our joy was short lived as we were met on the Banks by choppy, steep, mixed up seas with a strong countercurrent. To make things a bit worse we had to change our course to due east so we could make way through the old DECCA channel which is the only charted course across the shoal and reef filled Banks. Our pleasant sail turned into all hell breaking loose as we motored into head seas. I tucked two reefs into the main and furled the jib to try and steady her a bit. Despite my efforts, she continued to pound her way forward with the bow rising up and up, then slamming down into the seas, stopping and then pushing forward again. Not very pleasant at all. After a bit of experimenting I discovered that by slowing down the engine the motion was bearable, so on we went making 2.5 knots at best. All hopes of anchoring on the Banks were dashed to pieces and dinner was out of the question. There was no way either of us would be able to keep food down. It was all we could do not to be sick as it was. No more reading either. We couldn’t even listen to music as it would have been impossible to hear it over the sound of engine and the autopilot struggling to hold our course. That poor autopilot was definitely working overtime and the noise was just about driving me crazy, not of course to the point where I wanted to sit back there in the stiff wind and hand steer for hours. It did make me long for having a much quieter and more expensive below decks autopilot. I didn’t even do the math to see when we would arrive based on 2.5 knot speed, I just knew it was going to be a long, long night and wished I’d had the foresight to take an afternoon nap. Coleen and Prince managed to settle in and fall asleep in the cockpit while wearing their harness and tethers around 8 p.m. This went on for hours and hours. I woke Coleen at 1 and 3 am to take 20 minute watches while I rested my eyes. It was impossible to sleep due to the sound, but it was helpful to at least shut my eyes. I’d like to say that I got used to the motion and enjoyed the beautiful full moon, but I really didn’t enjoy any of it. Although hugely uncomfortable and miserable, I knew we weren’t in any danger and that we’d eventually get there. I didn’t realize it would be at 5 a.m.! We finally arrived near the anchorage at Big Majors Spot in the Exumas. It’s a huge anchorage and we dropped the hook far from shore as I didn’t feel like navigating my way in any further. Coleen woke up enough to help me set the hook, and ready the boat. I then had my ritual on arrival cold beer, and fell asleep fully clothed in the cockpit. I was too tired to shower and get in my bunk, and too salty to be inside the cabin. When I finally woke up at 9 a.m. I found myself smiling in paradise. There are no words to describe how beautiful this place is. I made the crew a huge breakfast and then took another nap before finally getting up to clean the decks, cover the sail and launch the dinghy. The Glass Slipper is looking ship shape again, no gear failed during our ordeal, and by nightfall Coleen and I were laid back enjoying popcorn, our famous frozen chocolate drinks and singing along while watching The Sound of Music. I feel pretty certain we’re going to be back in the 99% awesome part for a while. The next few weeks we’ll be enjoying short five to 10 mile day sails as we explore the lovely Exuma islands.

We've been waiting for about 10 days for a favorable wind for sailing to the Exumas from Middle Bight and it looks like we might have it tomorrow. While we've enjoyed our stay here, we are restless to move on. The boat is ready to go so hopefully by first light tomorrow we'll be on our way. It's either going to be a 70 mile sail to Sampson Cay in the Exumas, or if the seas are favorable we might make a pit stop at Green Cay, a small uninhabited island, about midway and then continue our journey on Thursday. It's supposed to be an awesome place but the anchorage is only tenable in settled weather. We're going to decide after we see what the weather is really like tomorrow.

Yesterday I had a crazy idea that we might be able to get a few tomatoes, eggs, lettuce and maybe a green veggie or two in town and use internet at the grocery store to upload a few pictures.. We loaded up the dinghy and headed out for the 2 mile dinghy ride to Moxey town around 9 a.m. Despite best efforts we managed to get a bit wet due to the spray from the waves. Nothing like arriving in town to do a little shopping in wet clothes! Thankfully it's a pretty casual place. The shopping trip was a bit of a bust. The little hardware store was not open and we were chased away by dogs. We managed to get a couple bottles of rum at the liquor store and then the sky opened up a downpour while we walked towards the grocery/gas station. We found refuge under the awning of a vacant building. We waited for about a 1/2 hour then walked in the rain to the grocery/wifi spot where it was too wet to even think about getting out the computer. The "produce" department had nothing but a a few green peppers and onions, but I did manage to get eggs and a can of orange juice ($5). The rain let up again so we made our way back to the dinghy and shoved off. It rained almost the entire way back. Coleen had a good test of her new foul weather gear - some Frog Toggs we got at Walmart in Tulsa ($40). She was the only one who stayed dry. DJ was soaked underneath his expensive foul weather jacket and I would have been dry but I let the wet dog hide under my coat. We were so glad to get back to our warm, dry boat and have a little hot cocoa and cookies.

Sunday we headed over to the island that has an abandoned AUTEC base. DJ needed to mend a sail and thought to spread it out on the floor of one of the old buildings and run the sewing machine using a portable generator. Coleen and I brought the makings for a picnic as there is beautiful spot overlooking a little meadow surrounded by causirina trees, complete with a swing hanging from a high branch. She also brought her Legos and a few books. We helped DJ by using palm tree branches to sweep the floor in the old building. It felt a bit like Swiss Family Robinson. We then enjoyed a relaxing afternoon, reading, taking long walks and playing in the swing.

This morning after listening to the 6:30 am weather forecast, I popped my head out of the companionway and saw that the water was completely flat and crystal clear. It was the first time in 2 1/2 weeks that the wind had stopped blowing. I called DJ on the VHF and suggested that we should head to shore and enjoy a dry dinghy for a change. It was so calm we could see everything in the water from the dinghy. We didn't even need to snorkel. Totally cool.

Yesterday was another lovely day in Middle Bight with sunny skies, temps in the low 80's and a nice cool breeze. After lunch we headed out to the reef for a bit of snorkeling. I refused to go near the blue hole again, but there was plenty more reef to explore. We saw so many fish, coral, and sponges it was almost overwhelming. The abundance of life on a healthy coral reef is something to behold. At one point I was dangling over an area that had an enormous school of striped yellow fish when Coleen began to make hand signals. I popped my head up to see what she wanted. She excitedly told me that a southern stingray was just below me hiding in the sand. I looked down and was she ever right. That guy was huge! Only his eyes were showing and the very end of his barbed tail. I slowly got out of there trying not to make too big of a show. At that point I decided a rest in the dinghy was in order as we'd been in the water for an hour. Just as I got to the dinghy ladder I saw a reef shark a few yards away. Yes, this was a good time for a break indeed. Coleen and I waited a while as DJ was spearfishing with our friend Laura. They were getting lion fish right and left. I lost count at 12. Finally I motioned to DJ that we were leaving, as I figured Laura would give him a ride back, and Coleen had yet to finish school for the day.

After showering and relaxing with a cold beer I dug out my Kindle to check Facebook to see if I had a message from my friend Sue on Andante. Instead I saw a posting from my son telling everyone that he was OK. I was puzzled. OK, from what? Why wouldn't he be OK. I began to dig and saw other postings from my friends about the Boston Marathon bombing. I'll admit I didn't realize it was Patriots Day, as in this lifestyle, I often don't even know the day of the week, let alone the date. Anyway, I quickly got out the satellite phone and after a few frantic minutes managed to get a signal. Was I ever glad to hear his voice! He had been watching the race a mile away from the finish line. I was thankful when I heard that he was safely home and not going anywhere, but I mourned for those hurt, and for a city I hold dear in my heart.

I lived in Boston for 10 years during my young adult days. My son was born there. I found my career there and have many loved ones there still. I remember well my first Patriots Day in Boston. I had never heard of Patriots Day, but my coworkers filled me in on the traditions. There were two choices go to the early Red Sox game or watch the marathon. I got a standing room only ticket for the Red Sox game. It was my first Red Sox game and it was a crazy time. I'd never even heard of a standing room only ticket. The next year I watched the marathon. I lived only a few blocks from Wellesley College and joined the others there to watch the race. It was amazing, not only all the runners, but the number of people that turned out to line the streets and watch, hand out water, treats, and hugs. There was so much excitement and joy in the air as we cheered on not a team, but individuals who were out there culumnating the efforts of all their long training and living their dream, to run the Boston Marathon.

Later I lived in Boston's North End, not far from where my son lives today. I was poorer than a church mouse, so on weekends I would spend my time exploring the city on foot. I probably knew it better than those who had lived there for years. One of my favorite places was Copley Square and I walked there most weekends to visit the Boston Public Library where I would sit in the courtyard with my little picnic lunch and books. I also remember standing on that corner with a huge throng of cheering Bostonians watching a victory parade for the Boston Celtics who had won the NBA championship. So sad to think of the violence that occurred there yesterday.

One thing I know about Boston, is that the people are tough and thrive on tradition. I am certain that however hard, they will not let this act of violence prevent them from stealing the joy of future Patriots Days. Thanks to all my friends and family who checked in on Phillip yesterday.

The first paragraph about sharks in Reef Fish Behavior states, "Unfortunately, divers in the Bahamas and Caribbean seldom encounter sharks in the wild." Coleen and I were snorkeling on Saturday, my first snorkel of the year. We'd been in the water for about a half hour enjoying an abundant of fish, coral and sponges. There was a huge blue hole just below where we anchored our dinghy. It was just full of large fish. There was so much to see it was almost overwhelming. We each saw many of the fish that our friend Jason had mentioned in the reef fish lecture he have us Friday night. Then all of a sudden a huge reef shark popped out of the blue hole and stopped about 20 feet in front of us. He was super scary looking and we were looking at his underside, with that big mouth. He just looked at us for few seconds and then quickly turned and darted back into the blue hole. Coleen and I quickly made our way to the dinghy. I helped her up the ladder and then plopped in on top of her. We laughed and laughed, but that was the end of our snorkeling day. Despite Jason's assurance that sharks are only aggressive if you are spearfishing, I was too chicken to get back in the water. We've enjoyed our time here in Middle Bight having lots of fun with our new friends on Blue Blaze. Last night we had a pizza party, another night we enjoyed the wild boar, and of course we've had lots of fish dinners. The best of all was the hog fish. It was even better than the lion fish. I managed to get to the store on Saturday and bought some hot dogs so Coleen enjoyed a kid meal Saturday night. Yesterday Coleen and DJ dropped, Prince and I at the beach where we spent the entire day alternating between long walks on the beach and relaxing in the shade of a causrina tree. We may be able to leave here today and make our way to the Exumas where we'll meet up with our friends on Andante again.